Heat-transfer compositions exhibiting improved miscibility with the lubricating oil

Abstract

The use of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane for increasing the miscibility of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene with a lubricating oil, and in particular with a polyalkylene glycol oil. Further included are heat-transfer compositions and also equipment and processes using these compositions. Also, a kit including a heat-transfer fluid including 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, and a lubricant oil including a polyalkylene glycol, for use in a heat-transfer installation including a vapor compression circuit.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising replacing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane in a motor vehicle air-conditioning unit with a heat-transfer fluid, in which the heat-transfer fluid is combined with a lubricant oil to form a heat-transfer composition, said heat-transfer composition comprising the heat transfer fluid and polyalkylene glycol,
 wherein the heat transfer fluid comprises:
 55-85% of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; and 
 15-45% of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 
 
 wherein the polyalkylene glycol has a viscosity from 20 to 100 Cst at 40° C. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and polyalkylene glycol represent at least 95% of the heat-transfer composition. 
     
     
       3. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and polyalkylene glycol represent at least 99% of the heat-transfer composition. 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and polyalkylene glycol represent at least 99.9% of the heat-transfer composition. 
     
     
       5. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-transfer composition comprises from 1% to 99% of polyalkylene glycol. 
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-transfer composition comprises from 5% to 50% of polyalkylene glycol. 
     
     
       7. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-transfer composition comprises from 10% to 40% of polyalkylene glycol. 
     
     
       8. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-transfer composition comprises from 15% to 35% of polyalkylene glycol. 
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the polyalkylene glycol has a viscosity from 40 to 50 centistokes at 40° C. 
     
     
       10. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-transfer composition further comprises one or more additives chosen from heat-transfer compounds, lubricants, stabilizers, surfactants, tracers, fluorescers, odorant agents, solubilizers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       11. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-transfer composition further comprises one or more additives chosen from stabilizers, surfactants, tracers, fluorescers, odorant agents and solubilizers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       12. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-transfer composition consists of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, polyalkylene glycol, and optionally one or more additives chosen from stabilizers, surfactants, tracers, fluorescers, odorant agents and solubilizers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       13. A method comprising replacing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane in a motor vehicle air-conditioning unit with a heat-transfer fluid, in which the heat-transfer fluid is combined with a lubricant oil to form a heat-transfer composition, said heat-transfer composition comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and polyalkylene glycol,
 wherein the polyalkylene glycol has a viscosity from 20 to 100 Cst at 40° C.